India

Sensex Falls 180 Points as Brent Crude Surges Past $95 on US-Iran Tensions

Indian equity markets declined on Monday, with the Sensex dropping around 180 points amid rising global uncertainty. Brent crude oil climbed to a six-week high, crossing the $95 per barrel mark, putting pressure on equity indices. The surge in oil prices was driven by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Higher crude prices typically weigh on Indian markets, as India is a major oil importer sensitive to global energy costs.

Ferran Torres World Cup mural in Barcelona defaced and removed within 24 hours

A mural celebrating Spain's World Cup footballer Ferran Torres was vandalized shortly after being unveiled in Barcelona. The artwork, created by well-known street artist TVBoy, was repeatedly defaced with political graffiti. Messages such as 'volem seleccions catalanes,' meaning 'we want Catalan national teams,' were among the slogans painted over the mural. City authorities ultimately removed the piece due to the repeated defacement. The incident underscored the ongoing tension between Spanish national football identity and Catalan political sentiment.

Delhi protest turns violent; ACP injured as CJP demonstrators clash with police

Violence broke out during a Cockroach Janta Party protest in Delhi, leaving an assistant commissioner of police injured. Demonstrators allegedly threw stones and bottles at security forces stationed near Tolstoy Marg. CCTV footage from the July 20 protest was cited by police to support their account of being attacked by protesters. The Cockroach Janta Party disputed the police narrative, claiming that law enforcement used excessive force against participants. Both sides have offered conflicting versions of the incident, with authorities and the party trading accusations over who instigated the clashes.

Bombay HC denies maintenance to wife living abroad with substantial income

The Bombay High Court has rejected a wife's petition seeking interim maintenance of Rs 1 lakh per month from her estranged husband. The court took into account that the woman earns a significant professional income and resides abroad by her own choice. Judges ruled that merely citing high living costs in a foreign country is not a valid ground for claiming maintenance. The court reaffirmed that maintenance provisions exist to support financially weaker parties who genuinely need assistance, not those who are financially self-sufficient.

Tesla Q2 Profit Falls 12% as AI and Robotaxi R&D Spending Surges 49%

Tesla reported a 12% decline in second-quarter profit, weighed down by a sharp rise in research and development expenditure. The EV maker increased its R&D spending by 49%, reflecting CEO Elon Musk's aggressive push into artificial intelligence and robotaxi development. Despite the profit drop, Tesla's revenue and vehicle sales figures came in ahead of Wall Street analyst expectations. The results highlight a strategic trade-off between near-term earnings and long-term bets on autonomous and AI-driven technologies.

Alphabet Posts Historic $100B Quarterly Profit, Boosted by Anthropic and SpaceX Gains

Alphabet, Google's parent company, recorded a landmark quarterly profit surpassing one hundred billion dollars, marking a historic financial milestone. The surge was largely driven by significant investment gains from its stakes in AI firm Anthropic and aerospace company SpaceX. Google Cloud also delivered strong revenue growth, further bolstering the company's overall financial performance. Despite the impressive results, Alphabet's stock dipped slightly during trading sessions. Investors continue to monitor the company's rising operational costs and intensifying competition in the artificial intelligence space.

Rupee edges up to 96.49 against dollar but rising crude oil caps gains

The Indian rupee posted a modest gain against the US dollar on Thursday, touching 96.49. However, rising crude oil prices continued to weigh on the currency, limiting further appreciation. The Reserve Bank of India was expected to step in to prevent sharper declines. Foreign investors displayed mixed sentiment across Indian equities and bond markets. Domestic stock indices opened in negative territory, adding to the cautious market mood.

Rising Gold Prices Push Budget Jewellery Buyers Toward Silver

Surging gold prices are prompting a growing number of consumers to reconsider their jewellery purchasing decisions. Many budget-conscious buyers are increasingly turning to silver as a more affordable alternative. However, industry observers note that the shift toward silver is not driven purely by cost considerations. Deeper changes in consumer preferences and attitudes toward jewellery appear to be contributing to silver's growing appeal.

US struck Iran for five hours on 12th night of attacks on military sites

Kyrie Irving Linked to Cleveland Trade as Dallas Eyes Future Rebuild

Kyrie Irving is reportedly being discussed in trade rumors involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, nearly a decade after he requested a trade that ended his championship partnership with LeBron James. An insider report indicates Irving would not rule out a return to Cleveland, potentially setting up a reunion with James. The Dallas Mavericks are said to be open to moving Irving as the franchise shifts its focus toward incoming prospect Cooper Flagg. The development signals a possible change in direction for Dallas, which appears to be prioritizing a longer-term rebuild around younger talent.

DDA Offers 1,200+ Flats at 25% Discount for Govt Employees, Starting Rs 33 Lakh

The Delhi Development Authority has launched a new housing scheme targeting government employees and professionals. The scheme features over 1,200 ready-to-move flats available at a 25% discount, with prices starting from Rs 33 lakh. All units are located in the Narela area of Delhi. Interested applicants can register from July 24, with bookings opening on August 15. Allotment will follow a first-come, first-served basis.

PM Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases amid nationwide protests

'Nothing more important than youth's future': PM Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases

Auto driver shot by police in Jammu’s Doda was ferrying men with ‘cattle smuggling’ past

US House approves $95 billion Iran war budget, sends Trump-backed plan to Senate

Govt proposes 5% GST on mango drinks to boost Totapuri farmer incomes

The Indian government has proposed a 5% GST rate on mango beverages containing 22–25% real fruit pulp. The move is intended to revive flagging demand for Totapuri mango pulp and raise the quality of mango-based drinks. An expert committee, formed in response to falling Totapuri prices, examined the challenges faced by farmers and put forward several remedies. These recommendations include establishing price stabilization committees and adopting orchard rejuvenation techniques. Relevant ministries will now be consulted to finalize both the quality standards and the revised tax framework.

FBI arrests Indian national in California over Canada-linked drug trafficking network

The FBI has arrested Harmanveer Singh, an Indian national, in California on drug trafficking charges. He is alleged to have ties to a Canada-based organized crime network led by Ravinder Dhanda. The arrest forms part of a broader multinational law enforcement effort dubbed 'Operation Hard Ball,' which resulted in charges against 37 individuals across several countries. Separately, another Indian national, Nitish Kaushal, was apprehended while attempting to enter Canada in connection with the same operation. Authorities say the crackdown targets organized crime syndicates with cross-border criminal activity.

Karachi-bound bus attacked in Balochistan; 3 killed, 5 injured as curfew imposed

White House accuses Moonshot AI of stealing Anthropic tech to build Kimi K3

White House official Michael Kratsios has alleged that Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI stole technology from Anthropic to develop its Kimi K3 model. He claimed the company covertly distilled Anthropic's Fable model at scale through a hidden internal platform. Kratsios further alleged that Moonshot illegally accessed Nvidia GB300 chips via Thailand, circumventing US export restrictions. The accusations come shortly after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a sanctions warning targeting Chinese AI models. Moonshot AI has yet to respond to any of the allegations.

Woman and Lover Allegedly Push Fiancé Into Gorge at Pune Fort

A 20-year-old woman named Siya Goyal and her 22-year-old lover Chetan Chaudhary allegedly pushed her 26-year-old fiancé, Ketan Agarwal, into a gorge on June 18. The incident took place at Lohagad Fort, located near Pune. According to reports, the duo had initially considered a plan to injure Agarwal but later abandoned it as too risky. They allegedly proceeded instead with pushing him into the gorge. The case has drawn significant attention due to the premeditated nature of the alleged act.